Hundreds gather for prayer vigil for missing Salem climber

Hundreds of people gathered at the First Baptist Church in Salem on Tuesday night to pray for a missing climber and his family.

Kinley Adams has been a member of the church for more than 30 years. He set out on a climb on Mount Hood on Saturday morning but he hasn't been seen since.

"I don't think anyone's naive to the reality of what can happen," said Senior Pastor Mark Hanke. "But at the same hand... when you put together God's providence and Kinley's tenacity and his skill set, you have a lot of hope."

Adams' trip was supposed to be a good training climb for a planned trip to Nepal, investigators said.

His family, friends, co-workers and fellow musicians continue to hold out hope that he will be found safe.

"Knowing who Kinley is as a person but also knowing his faith is a great comfort," friend Steve Hunter said.

"He's a rare combination to me of an incredibly gifted man but very, very humble," Hanke said.

On top of teaching at the church, Adams plays in the church's orchestra and has served on mission teams, Hanke said. Adams is a dentist and plays violin for the Salem Pops Orchestra.

Steve Hunter first met Adams about 30 years ago at church.

"We also have a great God that we believe in," Hunter said. "And that's where Kinley put his faith, as well. And so we know that God is in control, and whatever happens is what God has planned for us all."

The wait has been the hardest part, Hanke said.

But Adams' family and friends continue to believe that he will come safely down the mountain just like he's done many times before.

"At this point, I'm just leaving it in God's hands. And God will have to decide where he is and what happens at the next point," friend Stephen Kintner said.

Adams has been climbing for more than 30 years and has taken survival classes through ski patrol training. Hanke told FOX 12 he thinks that experience will work to Adams' advantage as the search for him continues.

The search is expected to resume on Wednesday morning, investigators said.

Outgoing Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed has given mayoral candidate Mary Norwood 48 hours to apologize after she claimed voter intimidation in the December 5 run-off election between her and Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Outgoing Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed has given mayoral candidate Mary Norwood 48 hours to apologize after she claimed voter intimidation in the December 5 run-off election between her and Keisha Lance Bottoms.